5 Secrets To Self-Motivation

Motivation Easy?

Why is it that motivating others is easy, but we struggle to motivate ourselves? There’s always another task that needs to be done, another deadline that needs to be met.

Yet, we need to learn how to take the time to show ourselves that we’re strong and hard-working. One of the secrets of self-motivation is to get our internal gears turning the right way so that we recognize our worth and value.

Everyone has goals they’re working towards. Yet, the degree of self-motivation you allow yourself determines how hard you are willing to work to achieve the desired result.

So, in a nutshell, with self-motivation, anything is possible. But, on the other hand, if it’s lacking in someone’s life, then life goals become of little significance.

To always encourage yourself to do better and be better, you need to show yourself kindness and motivation. Without them, you’ll achieve very little in life and business. To help you get inspired, here are five secrets to self-motivation.

Secret 1: Be Confident

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

- A. A. Milne

Having the confidence to stand up for your beliefs and dreams is one of the most critical aspects of self-motivation. Yet, it can get difficult mustering up confidence when your brain is wired to shy away from a challenge.

The good news is, your brain has neuroplasticity which means the brain has a capability to rewire itself. You can learn and you can change how and what you think.

To rewire your thoughts and build up your confidence, get a pen and paper. First, write down 3–4 of your achievements just to remind yourself of how much potential you have.

Then, make a habit of writing one thing you achieved each day. Little by little, that page will turn into two, then five, then a dozen—all the while creating a momentum that feeds on your self-confidence and assurance.

You can use this activity to think back to your achievements of this year. On a piece of paper draw a line in the middle. Write down the months. For every month think of 1 or more achievements. This might take a little time or multiple sessions, but works great to refocus. In this image you can see mine. I like to use different colors.

Secret 2: Track Your Progress

“Talk to yourself about your successes; be sure you’re recognizing your own accomplishments, no matter how small they may be.” - Rhett Power

Now that you’ve started writing down your daily achievements, even if it’s just watering the plants, it’s important to keep track of how far you’ve come.

You can use something as simple as a to-do list where you cross each task as you get each one done. Or, if you want to be more general, just cross off the whole day. This crossing off gives you a little dopamine hit which feels good.

There are also numerous apps and software tools that help you create a personalized digital task board. This makes it easier to customize goals on a smaller scale, as well as all the way to the more time-consuming monthly and yearly goals.

As a result, you hold yourself accountable. Plus, you wake up each day knowing exactly what you’re supposed to do, giving your life purpose and meaning.

Secret 3: Maintain A Positive Outlook

“There’s a direct correlation between positive energy and positive results.” - Joe Rogan

Maintaining a positive mindset can go a long way in boosting your self-motivation. It’s also a great tool to have when things don’t go as planned. That’s when having that positive outlook can help you see things from a different perspective.

When your brain expects positive results, your choices will be geared towards the more positive. You’ll also be less likely to blame others for the unexpected things that pop up in your life.

To do this, you need to be aware of your negative thought patterns. Then, each time you feel some negative thoughts starting to pop up, replace them with positive ones immediately. Most of us go through life on autopilot, so you are less likely to notice when negative thoughts come up. Having mindful moments, even if it is for 30 seconds, can help. In those mindful moments you don't have to start meditating, if that is not your thing. Just taking a deep breath and noticing your thoughts. Do this with kindness and compassion.

It is not about being positive all the time. We are humans so our experience will be diverse. So it is not about ignoring the bad and the ugly. It is about acknowledging the struggle and dealing with it in a constructive way.

Secret 4:?Set Realistic Goals

“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.” - Benjamin E. Mays

Goals give your life a sense of direction, like a promise you make to yourself, then do your best to keep it. For example, it could be something as simple as cutting back on sugar for a whole week. Or, maybe something a bit more consuming, like working out each day for a month.

Whether it’s work, family, or something personal, the best way to set goals and to break them up into measurable tasks. This can be monthly, weekly, daily, or even by the hour—whatever works for you.

Another tip is to make the goal just challenging enough to pique your interest. Yet, it shouldn’t be too complex that you give up easily. One of the triggers to get into flowstate is the challenge/ability ratio. The task needs to be a little challenging but still within your abilities. Research shows that 4% more challenge is enough. When the challenge is to big, it paralyzes you. When you don't believe in your abilities, you won't do it either.

Secret 5:?Surround Yourself With Supportive People

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” - Oprah Winfrey

Having positive people who help you achieve your potential is a great way to increase your self-esteem. In return, this gives your internal motivation a nice boost. They’re also great for holding you accountable. They keep pushing you forward even when you don’t feel like getting out of bed.

Who you surround yourself with has a big impact. If you have ever found yourself on the receiving end of the words: 'you won't be able to do that' or 'that is nothing for you, you are different' or 'you will never succeed in doing that', you know how that can make you feel. Maybe you even gave up on the thing. The people who you surround yourself with, want to life you higher, want to support you in achieving your goals and dreams in your way.

The best thing is that it works both ways, which strengthens your relationship. Plus, no one wants to let down that person who’s always there for them through the good days and the bad.

That are 5 secrets to self-motivation. These are not the only ones, but you don't want to get overwhelmed. Consuming information is not enough to make a difference. Implementing the information does. So which one of these are you going to implement? Feel free to share.